For quite a long time I have been wondering what kind of a book the tattoo artist (Stephen R. Hart) shows to Max (Mark Wahlberg) and Mona (Mila Kunis) in Max Payne
The text will not be quoted here, since it may be copyright protected. It is not something which went into the public domain long ago, since it refers to a source published in 1964. There are two paragraphs that say general things about valkyries in the Norse mythology. The author gives a rather accurate account of the Viking beliefs related to valkyries. However, the image to the right of the text that features a demonic winged creature with a shield and a sword seems to be far cry from the actual Norse heathen idea of the valkyries. In Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda, written in the 13th century, valkyries’ duty “is to serve in Valhalla. They bring drink and see to the table and the ale cups.” As it seems, silver amulets representing women who bear forth drinking horns, are in fact images of valkyries. Such amulets were in use throughout Scandinavia during the Viking Age. In the Eddaic tradition valkyries are helmeted women who fly through the sky (or ride through air and sea) to choose the slain and decide the outcome of battle. 
This is their duty assigned to them by Odin. In Helgakviða Hundingsbana I Valkyrie named Sigrún is described as consuming corpses with wolves after battle. Not only wolves, but also ravens are valkyries’ companions: when Odin and his wife Frigg arrived at Baldr’s funeral, they were accompanied by valkyries and Odin’s ravens, Huginn and Muninn. I am aware of only one instance when valkyries are thought of as winged in the Eddas: in Völundarkviða three brothers see three women spinning linen on the shore of the lake Úlfsjár (wolf lake), and “near them were their swan’s garments; they were valkyries.”
In Max Payne valkyrie wings tattoos are an important element of the plot. They are used by people who take the drug invented to improve the morale of the U. S. soldiers. Because of a side effect they have visions of demonic winged creatures, and Norse valkyrie wings tattooed on their hands are intended to protect them. Jack Lupino does not only have wings tattoos on his hands, but also one on his face and a large pair of wings on his back. More on Max Payne movie and Norse Viking mythology in my other article treating Valkyries and Norse myths in Max Payne.
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Thanks for the great summary & drawings.
Im watching Max Payne right now for the first time and was curious about the Norse connection :)
Thanks for these two articles!
I was born on Shetland and have been considering a Norse/Viking inspired tattoo for a while…now I have lots to consider! xxxx
August 20th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
You are welcome :)
August 20th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
You know… I might actually want to use the image at the bottom of this article, with the single wing and tribal-looking detail as my next tattoo, which might require some resizing. Would that be acceptable? :D
~Renee
September 24th, 2009 at 2:24 am
Hi Renee. Feel free to do so.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:58 am
g’day admin guy.
i was just wondering if i could use the first wing image as a tattoo design?
i quite like the drawing of it and thought it might make a cool tatt.. is it alright for me to do that?
October 29th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Hi Matt. Feel free to do so.
October 29th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Just had the Valkyrie wings enlarged and engraved on my back as a tattoo, i beleive it simbolises power as well as strength, and is obviously great to look at ! Thank you so much !
October 30th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Did some research on my bloodline and turns out to be Viking. Hence the fact that I’m considering my next tat to be something in that line. Battling to find some good ideas tho. Is there any site/book/* you can refer me to. Viking designs seems to be somewhat scares.
November 9th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Hi Russell. A few great Norse designs by Wodenwolf are available on his flickr photostream. I especially like this one.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Looking good. Certainly a contender but will delve around some more. Many thanks!
November 10th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
hi i am looking to get a tattoo of wings such like the ones above. but i want to learn more about valkries and norse mythology. do you know were i could do so. or find a book on it?
November 21st, 2009 at 4:28 am
hey, so i was just wondering is that first image straight out of the max payne movie?
I have a scandinavian background and have been scouring the net for wing tattoos and just can’t find any.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Hi David. It is my own pen sketch based on what I’ve seen in the movie.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Just wondring are these protection tattoos or just Noris myth?
December 13th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Hey, great drawings, dont suppose you have one of the wings tat at the beginning of the movie, of the guy hiding in the toilets? Thats the one I want to get!
December 15th, 2009 at 5:14 am
Hey, nice drawings! Just wanted to tell you all what I know about the norse valkyrie wings. That the vikings took a tattoo of the valyrie wings to get protected in battle. And because they would take the warrior from the battlefield into valhall( im swedish, don’t know what ”valhalla”) really is in english!) :S also wondering if i could save some of your pic on my computer for making my own tatt?
December 20th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Hi Oliver. You can save the pictures for your own personal use.
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 am
from a person who has actualy experianced battle and the demands, not just physical but mental…………i jst hope that the valkeries are real, a breath of fresh air for the real soldiers all over the world. i know that it was a hope for me….and maybe those around me that did not come home. may the valkeries reward them like the mythogy sais they did.
December 25th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Have you any suggestions for a tatoo following in the Norse style. Maybe could incorporate my two sons names Thoran and Odin ?
January 20th, 2010 at 7:51 am
heya…ummm i did get this done…. http://goddessaragon.deviantart.com/art/the-lips-and-wings-152119795 the tattoo artist tried to get as close as possible :] it means alot that i could find this, thanks for making it available
January 30th, 2010 at 2:19 am
why do you refer to the norse as heathens? I dont see how anything they did was in anyway related to heathens
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
hey i like the valkyre wing designs but im wondering how accrute are these tattoos to viking history?
March 5th, 2010 at 11:27 pm